REVIEW / Crystal Comet (PC)

Reviewing video games generally is a difficult enterprise. It’s not merely a case of getting a guidelines and ticking issues off as you play so you may resolve whether or not a recreation is sweet or dangerous. I’m noting this as a result of if the sport that I used to be enjoying at the moment had come from a large studio with a significant writer behind it I’d be scoring it fully in another way. The purpose is I’m not and it isn’t so I should be taking a look at this title by means of one other lens. At the moment’s recreation is retro within the best sense of the phrase. I’m not speaking about “retro” both. This isn’t that foolish catch-all time period for video games made to look previous to be cool and edgy. I imply actually retro. At the moment’s recreation seems like one thing straight out of the early 90s and it’s wonderful. The truth that I used to be enjoying video games within the early 90s means loads on this occasion however I’m unsure some youthful gamers could be as thrilled as I’m. The title in query is Crystal Comet, it’s on Steam, and I’m having a literal blast.

Crystal Comet feels prefer it was made on a shoestring funds in somebody’s basement. This isn’t a criticism. Among the finest basic video games got here out of conditions resembling this. The graphics are fundamental however colourful, the voice appearing is healthier than one thing I might do, (critically 10 out of 10 for effort,) the music is remarkably effectively completed, and the gameplay is enjoyable. I completely don’t care that it seems to be like a throwback. I’m placing my retro hat on for this overview as a result of I actually loved myself with this title, however I nonetheless needed to put it in a little bit of a field in my head. If I hadn’t completed I’d have began making foolish, unfair comparisons and that wouldn’t have completed Crystal Comet justice.

Crystal Comet is a vertical shooter by which you get the whole lot together with the kitchen sink thrown at you and you must energy by means of blasting the whole lot in your approach. I don’t want to elucidate the essential mechanics, you’ve all been there and I’m fairly certain you already know precisely what I’m speaking about. There are a couple of little quirks although that I discovered actually fulfilling and refreshing.

You’ll choose one among 4 characters to take into the fray, every with their very own ship. Every of those ships has differing stats with respect to hurry and the quantity of punishment they will take. In addition they have a special particular you could kick off whenever you’ve picked up sufficient vitality. This nonetheless isn’t something new however what I like is that you simply’re enjoying this recreation as a part of a squad. The opposite three ships might be flying together with you with the AI manning the helm. That is good since you’re getting 4 participant co-op even whenever you’re by yourself and there’s sufficient happening throughout every degree to make this really feel impactful. Having assist doesn’t make the sport really feel simpler it’s simply good to have the additional firepower.

The story Crystal Comet facilities round 4 mercenaries who should carry steadiness again to the universe within the wake of the titular celestial artifact. All races have been residing harmoniously till it appeared, rekindling previous enmities and stoking the flames of struggle and greed. Whether or not you’ll be capable to destroy the comet will come all the way down to your talent as a pilot and your potential to work as a group. There might be a whole lot of hostile territory that you simply’ll need to fly by means of earlier than you’ll get that likelihood, although.

One thing I actually like about Crystal Comet is that dropping all of your life doesn’t simply see you exploding into just a little fireball. In the event you drop to zero well being, one of many different ships can, (and really will,) come alongside and heal you. You’ll end up doing the identical along with your fallen comrades and this provides to the sensation of enjoying as a part of a group. What’s good is the AI doesn’t have the intelligence of a sack of bricks and can really do its half. I’ve performed many video games with large budgets and really dumb computer-controlled gamers so that is pretty to see.

Crystal Comet is replayable in you could take multiple route by means of the sport. As you full ranges you’ll be given multiple path you may take. This doesn’t alter the issue, it simply provides you a barely totally different problem and, after all, a brand new boss to satisfy. Every degree additionally provides you an unlockable weapon on completion so it’s price going again and enjoying once more if you wish to gather all of them. Every character additionally has their very own ending so this provides to the rationale why you’ll be eager to play by means of it greater than as soon as.

That is the form of recreation that with a little bit of talent you could possibly simply full in a single sitting, and one which I really did. This isn’t a grievance on this case. There are a few causes for this. The primary is as I’ve simply talked about you may return and play once more however meet totally different ranges. The opposite level is that a whole lot of shooters are rating assaults so when you’re the form of participant that wishes to rack up the factors you may repeat ranges time and again and never lose an excessive amount of time doing it. Lastly, by finishing Crystal Comet you’ll unlock a brand new mode that I’m not telling you about. You possibly can put the work in and discover out similar to I did.

I actually loved enjoying by means of Crystal Comet. This wasn’t as a result of the graphics have been stellar or as a result of it was a 70-hour saga however for the only purpose. It was enjoyable. I’ve mentioned this earlier than however we spend a lot time in search of video games that reinvent the wheel that we overlook the purpose of the whole lot we do. We wish to get pleasure from ourselves and if that’s for an hour or a month that ought to be all that counts. In the event you like a great arcade shooter and also you simply wish to get pleasure from blasting aliens to bits I feel you’ll get pleasure from flying by means of Crystal Comet. If alternatively, you’ve been raised on Triple A shenanigans and also you’re in search of cutting-edge the whole lot you’ll probably really feel such as you’ve been given one thing out of a time warp to play by means of. Personally, I feel it’s a tenner of your hard-earned cash effectively spent for a bout of easy, (if just a little brief storywise,) enjoyment.